The Newbie Straight Razor Challenge

So I was walking through the local flea market and what do I see... Two straight razors!!!! I have never shaved with one (yet!!) and have been looking to try it. So I looked at both of them and saw they had some stuff wrong with them. SO here is the challenge...

Having never done this before:
1) Restore both blades
2) Hone both blades
and finally...
3) Shave with both of them

This way, I will be able to read through all parts of the wiki, get a more in depth understanding of razors and construction and I love a challenge.

Now you are all probably wondering what razors are the (unlucky) subjects of this challenge. For all of you that like pics, here they are:

DSCN0950 pictures from fashion photos on webshots

Just from being a literate, logical human being I have deduced that:
1) the one with the notch in the end is made by W.H. Morley and Sons from Germany; this one has some scratches and rust marks on it.
2) the shorter one is a Sheffield Blade Made for A.J. Jordan. The "model" name is Old Faithful; this one has some rust on it as well, with some pitting on the end of the one side too.

Any other information on what type of str8s they are would be greatly appreciated!!!!

With some patients and work, these two should be the beginning of a new hobby/obsession. I always like to learn and appreciate as much as I can about new things, so this way just seemed fitting to enter the world of straight razors.

I don't recall using an Old Faithful but the WH Morleys are excellent shavers. If I understand you correctly, you intend to restore, hone, and shave with these two razors on your own. If this is your intention, then you've come to the right place. There is ample information in this forum to help you get started. The first step would be the Wiki section.

In general, the members of this forum recommend that you first try shaving with a razor that has been honed for you by someone who knows how to do it. This accomplishes two things. First, it gives you a proper tool to work with while you are learning instead of practicing with a dull razor. (Imagine trying to learn to drive a manual car with a clutch that is nearly gone.) Second, it gives you a sense of what a properly honed razor should feel like, thereby giving you a standard to work toward.

If you do intend to do this on your own, feel free to ask lots of questions. Here, you will get lots of answers and most of them will be helpful! If you get stuck with the honing part, I'm still available for free honing.

BTW, those are some nice trumpets in your photo album. I occasionally swap mouthpieces depending on what I'm playing but I've never had a trumpet with exchangeable bells. Very nice!

Follow that advice, having a properly shave ready razor will give you a goal, and you have to buy all the rest of the stuff required to shave with one anyway. Not to mention the stones.

You probably don't own anything as sharp as a straight razor, and having a baseline really helps.

Are you SURE you really want to get into this? :shrug: Well, I enjoy it. The Morley has uneven hone wear at the point. The Jordan should be a smiling blade and it has been honed flat. You have picked some real challenges to start on. I recommend looking through the gallery and razor clubs to to get an idea of what style your razors should look like. I think you have a good chance of getting the Jordan going, the Morley is more of a challenge. I also concur with the other guys. I think you will have a better chance at actually shaving well with a razor that is honed for you. Learning to do everything at once is a huge challenge. The shaving is the pay off. Discover what *real* shaving is all about and this will give you an idea of what to expect from a razor. Having this goal in mind will help guide you through the restoration and honing process.

I agree.... You really need to learn the proper way to shave and to know what a sharp blade should feel like.

It will be tough starting out with a blade that may or may not be honed correctly.

1+ on the information already given. There is so much to learn when it comes to srt8's be patient ask questions and read the wiki. I am using a William Morely and it does a good job, it has held it's edge well and I haven't experienced any issues with it. Haven't ever seen the other one though but I know someone here has. I agree you may want to get another razor, Professionally sharpened for your first and work on these while you learn how to shave all over again. There are always excellent razors here in the classifieds and these guys know their stuff. Nice to have you on board and looking forward to seeing the direction you take.

in your situation patience will be a key. i bought a shave ready blade first and i don't regret it at all. i can now hone my own razors and shave consistently with them, though i think i will always keep learning:)

there is a part of me that looks back and thinks that i should have concentrated on either the learning to shave part first or the honing part and not done them both at the same time, but each person seems to do things differently.

finding this site is definitely your first step in the right direction. these guys know what they are doing so trust them and don't think you are going to miraculously figure out some new way of honing or shaving (not that i did that or anything :w). trust in their guidance and read read read.

good luck.
Wes